1 - Color code your iPad cases for easy 1:1 access
2- Create desktop backgrounds to show numeration
The cases cover the backs - where we originally had numerated stickers showing which iPad was which. Now we have gone with an idea originated by iPad colleague Carolyn Skibba at Burley Elementary - change the backgrounds and lock screens of each iPad to its number. In cases where the iPads are truly 1:1 - that is a single student is using a single iPad all day, every day - many teachers choose to take a picture of the student holding a number and use it as the background. However, I teach a differentiated classroom so although during each period there is a 1:1 student to iPad ratio, three sets of students cycle through the devices each day. Therefore, I used generic numbers as the wallpaper. To do this, I typed the numbers in a Pages document on my MacBook and took a screenshot of the number. I then uploaded all of the numbers to my Google Site and was then easily able to download the picture and set it as the wallpaper/lockscreen from each iPad.
I did it this way - rather than creating the image on the iPad - for two reasons. One, if I did it on the iPad, the image would show other things - the date/time I am taking the picture, the cursor, the editing bar of Pages - and this may be a distracting backdrop for my students. Second, if I created these images on the iPad, it would take longer: I'd have to open Pages, set the font, the size, etc 32 individual times. Whereas on my Mac I was able to set it once and screenshot away. It was as simple as typing each number and took under 2 minutes total. However, not to worry - you don't have to do either! You can visit my webpage and download the number images to your iPads right now :)!

Open your iPad's Safari app and type in the URL of the site that you'd like to visit. Tap the bookmarking icon in the browser (the arrow coming out of a rectangle), to "add to home screen". This will create an app icon on your homescreen and allow your students to visit the page with only a finger tap!
4 - Create differentiated folders for apps
Group your apps into folders based on level. You could create three facts practice folders called "Facts 1", "Facts 2", and "Facts 3". In the first folder you could place fact fluency apps that enhance basic addition/subtraction skills, the second folder could house apps that review multiplication/division facts and the third folder may have apps that introduce algebra. This way you could direct students to the correct folder and give them some choice in which app to use - rather than having students search for a "just right app" or spend time on an app that is too difficult or too easy for them.
5 - Try "Send to Dropbox"
Instead of flooding your inbox with student work emails every day, try Send to Dropbox, a site that allows your students to send to a generated address which dumps files into your dropbox folder. This will allow your more organization and even better - free up that inbox!
For additional tips, check out this post from September 2011.
I also use numbers for the wallpaper. I just googled the number I wanted and used one of the pictures that came up. They are pretty cute, too - #2 is a 2 candle on a cake, #8 is a road sign, etc.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting the numbers. This will save me a lot of time!
ReplyDeleteHELLOW! The board is good, but it has its drawbacks:
ReplyDelete1 Very expensive
2 Needs at least electricity, PC and personal training.
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5 Have real working prototypes at hand.
6 An additional tool for teaching.
7 There are a lot of other teaching activities connected with the board.
BUT ONE PROBLEM!!!
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I would like to hear your suggestions. How can I do it?
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I am curious as to what type of cases you decided to get for your iPads and if you have been happy with your decision?
ReplyDeleteI realize it's been a while since you posted this question, but I wanted to comment about iPad cases. We have iGuy cases for our iPads and I absolutely HATE those things. I'm not complaining because I could have selected something different, but the other teachers had decided to get iGuys and I just went along with them. The iGuys are cute but are awkward to hold in an upright position, and it's really difficult to plug in the chargers. I usually take the iPads out of the case to charge them because it is so hard to get them plugged in.
DeleteWe got the MiniSuit cases off of Amazon. We did they because we had almost NO budget and were looking for the cheapest possible choices. We like them!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the quick reply!
ReplyDeleteAnother way to differentiate... I use QR codes hanging up by my center groups. They use a QR code generator to go to a website I want them to get to faster.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas! I'm your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteSummyr
http://theteachaholic.blogspot.com
Thank you for all the Ipad information. I have been looking into ipad management and found that cloud based systems can take care of all your Ipad and remote management needs!
ReplyDeleteI found a great solution for the iPad or Android management! www.mokimobility.com
ReplyDeleteI can remotely manage all my devices from my computer - so cool!!
email travis.hansen@mokimobility.com and he will hook you up!
Thanks for sharing this nice and cute idea. I'll try this one out!
ReplyDeleteBuy iPAd 3 Case
Is there a way to lock the wallpaper screen to make sure the kids don't change it to their favorite pop icon? This was popular with the i pads last year so I am worried it will just continue...
ReplyDeleteSadly not in this iOS... hopefully in iOS6
DeleteI love number 2 tips! Good job and thanks for letting us read this.
ReplyDeletethese are great! My school is starting an iPad pilot program next school year and our big discussions right now are management. I love the numbers for backgrounds!
ReplyDeleteTo manage my project at work, I use the app Beesy on iPad. This app allows me to manage priorities, monitor progress of tasks for each member of my team, use actions templates, drag & drop to organized notes, share docs / PDF, store them on Dropbox to be the most effective.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I’m so glad it was helpful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. It was helpful.
ReplyDeleteMariel Gomez de la Torre